Portable earth boring machine

ABSTRACT

A portable earth boring machine for the horizontal boring of shafts and the insertion of pipeline casing sections in installations where excavation from the surface is undesirable. The machine is characterized by vertically adjustable auger drive means which permit the selective location of the axes of the auger drive shafts at various elevations such that augers of various diameters can be utilized without the necessity of excessively deep excavations for the installation of the machine and its track when pipe lines of smaller diameter are to be installed. The machine is further characterized by casing pusher ring apparatus arranged to selectively accommodate casing pusher rings of various diameters so as to conform with the selected size of the boring auger being used during the particular boring operation.

Appleman PORTABLE EARTH BORING MACHINE ill] Primary Examiner-David H. Brown [75] Inventor: g i Appeman' Ashkmd Armrnev. Agent. or Firm-Arthur N. Krein [73] Assignee: General Motors Corporation,

Detroit, Mich. [57] ABSTRACT A portable earth boring machine for the horizontal [22] Flled' Ma) 1974 boring of shafts and the insertion of pipeline casing [21] Appl. No.: 471,439 sections in installations where excavation from the surface is undesirable. The machine is characterized by vertically adjustable auger drive means which per- I if 173/159 ii l g z mit the selective location of the axes of the auger i iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii l lo/152 ri e shafts at various elevations such that augers of 1 o 5 i I62 various diameters can be utilized without the necessity of excessively deep excavations for the installation of the machine and its track when pipe lines of smaller [56] References Cited diameter are to be installed/The machine is further UNITED STATES PATENTS characterized by casing pusher ring apparatus ar- 2,752,l22 6/1956 Hyatt 8! al [/122 ranged to selectively accommodate casing pushgr 2.834.576 5/1958 lvey l73/l54 X rings f various diameters so as to conform with the 1 4/1966 Rjdgnarswn X selected size of the boring auger being used during the 3,6l0.345 lO/l97l Richmond 173/154 particular boring operation 3.6l2.l l0/l97l Richmond l73/l22 3.679.006 7/1972 Richmond l73/l52 Claims 3 Drawin ur 3.682.261 8/1972 Bird 175/171 x g 3 es I, i -3:1 0 G0 I I 46 I52 50 i I I 158 454 I94 I40 1 T 1 "/82 v 11' x F ii r 1| u r 1F :35 20/ Q 470 iii )il PATENTEDJUE 3 1975 SHEET PORTABLE EARTH BORING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to portable earth boring machines and more particularly to a machine adapted for horizontal boring of shafts for the insertion of pipelines at installations where excavation from the surface is undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVEN I'ION In general. the machine ofthe present itt -cntiun comprises a base means that includes spaced track members which are disposed in a trench adjacent the hill to be bored. The machine further includes a frame means mounted for movement along the track means and such carriage supports a power train for rotating connected sections of auger shafts which comprise a progressively extendable boring auger. The frame means further supports a pusher ring for driving sections of casings into the bored hole and an associated pushing cylinder means is provided for advancing and retracting the frame means and pusher ring along the track means.

In the part. although machines of this general type could be utilized for boring holes and pushing casings of various diameters, since the location of the auger drive shafts and easing pusher rings of such prior machines have been fixed with respect to the frame, a problem has been present in the excessive excavation has been required in the boring of smaller diameter holes with a machine large enough to also bore larger diameter holes. This imposed a relatively high cost burden on the boring contractor for it was necessary for him to many times make excessively deep excavations when installing pipe lines of smaller diameter.

In accordance with the present invention the earth boring machine is provided with a novel adjustable boring spindle which can selectively be mounted at various heights on the thrust plate of the boring machine such that auger sections of various diameters can all be mounted at the appropriate vertical height with respect to the base of the boring machine. This eliminates the necessity of excessively deep excavations for the boring machine, as well as the track along which the machine must travel.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the invention is clearly shown.

As another aspect of the present invention the machine is adapted to mount casing pusher rings of various diameters. conforming with various sized casings to be pushed, such that a casing pusher ring of appropriate diameter can be selected to conform with the diameter of the boring auger being used on the particular job.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an earth boring machine with a novel adjustable boring spindle which permits the mounting of boring augers of different diameters depending upon the particular job requirement such that the axes of rotation of such spindles are all at the appropriate height with respect to the base of the machine.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a boring machine of the type described which is adapted for the selective use of easing pusher rings of various diameters with such pusher rings always being concentric with their respective boring augers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevational view of a boring machine constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial front elevational view ofthe boring machine of FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 is a partial side view, partially in section. of a fluid motor mounting means comprising a portion of the boring machine of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring in detail to the drawings. FIG. I illustrates the complete horizontal earth boring machine of the present invention which comprises a base means indicated generally at 20. Such base means includes spaced longitudinally extending track means 22 which support a carriage means indicated generally at 24.

The carriage means 24 is advanced and retracted along track 22 by hydraulic power cylinders, a portion of which is seen at I32 in FIG. I, with such power cylinder being operatively connected between a power cylinder base 36 and the carriage means 24.

Details of typical power cylinders such as 132 and power cylinder base 36 are disclosed and described in detail in the application of Albert R. Richmond. Ser. No. 867,8l6 filed Oct. 20, I969, now US. Pat. No. 3,6l2,l issued Nov. l2, I971.

It will be further seen that pressurized fluid for actuating power cylinders 132 is provided by a fluid power system including a pump driven by an engine 40. The fluid power circuit further includes a control valve mechanisms 44 and 46 which when actuated the pushing cylinders 134-132 are extended or retracted so as to move carriage 24 forwardly or rearwardly along the track means 22.

Referring again to FIG. I, the boring machine further includes a pusher ring 50 including a front annular surface 52 for engaging the sections of pipe casing for pushing such sections into the bored hole. Such pusher ring 50 includes a thrust plate means 60 mounted on the carriage means with such thrust plate 51 serving as a mount for a fluid motor for driving the auger connecting shaft 64.

A typical auger construction for connection with the machine of the present invention is disclosed and described in detail in the application of Albert R. Rich mond. Ser. No. 85.614 filed Oct. 30, I970. now US. Pat. No. 3,693,734 issued Sept. 26. 1972.

Reference is next made to the adjustable mounting for the fluid motor 140 which permits the selective positioning in either a lower position with the auger con. necting shaft 64 having its axis of rotation at a lower position I80 or, with said shaft having its axis of rotation positioned at an upper location I82. The apparatus for permitting the vertical adjustment of shaft 64 is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 and includes a motor mounting plate I6I provided with a central bore 190.

A front shaft housing I54 on fluid motor 140 is extended through bore in the motor mounting plate and rigidly mounted therein by welding.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, motor mounting plate 161 is mounted in spaced vertically disposed tracks formed by members 166 with the latter being mounted on thrust plate means 60 by a plurality of cap screws 164. The motor mounting plate 161 is retained in the selected vertical position by cap screws 160 which can be selectively positioned in spaced vertical holes such as the holes 163 and 162 provided in the sides of the motor mounting plate as seen in FIGv 2.

1t should be mentioned that thrust plate means 60 is provided with a vertically extending open ended slot 156 and shaft housing 154 of motor 140 extends through this slot and can be moved vertically therein when motor mounting plate 158 is adjusted vertically in its guides.

it should be mentioned that shaft housing 154 encloses the conventional driven pump shaft 182 as well as auger connecting shaft 64 with the bearing assembly 180 being provided within the shaft housing.

Reference is next made to the adjustable mounting means for the various sizes of casing pusher rings such as the smaller casing pusher ring 50 seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Such casing pusher ring is mounted on a small pusher ring plate 152 which includes peripheral brackets 172 removably mounted on thrust plate means 60 by the bolts 174. The thrust plate mounted on carriage 24 includes right and left skids 170 adapted to slide along the tracks 22 when the thrust plate means 60 and pusher ring 50 are advanced and retracted along the track means by the pushing cylinders 132-134.

With reference to FIG. 2, thrust plate means 60 is further adapted for the selective mounting of a larger casing pusher ring shown in dotted delineation and indicated generally at S-L. Such pusher ring is provided with a pusher ring plate 152-14, also shown in clotted delineation. Such larger pusher ring is mounted to the same thrust plate means 60, previously described, ex cept that the mounting brackets 172 are not required since the larger plate 152-1. can be drilled directly for receiving the pusher ring mounting bolts 174 as shown at 173.

In operation, assuming that fluid motor 140 is mounted in its lower position with the auger connecting shaft 64 having its axis of rotation at 180, FIG. 1, the operator removes locking studs 160 and slides motor mounting plate 158 upwardly such that the holes 162 therein align with the threads in thrust mounting plate 60 and the locking studs 160 are replaced to lock the mounting plate and fluid motor in its upper position.

It should be mentioned that the fluid motor 140 is connected to the pump 100 by flexible conduits 194 whereby the fluid motor can readily be adjusted to various vertical positions without the necessity of disconnecting the piping.

After raising of the fluid motor to the upper position, the larger sized boring augers can then be accommodated, along with larger casing sections, and in order to push such larger casing sections into the earth it is necessary to install the larger casing pusher ring 50-L. This is readily accomplished by removing the bolts 174, FIG. 2, and lifting out smaller pusher ring 50. The larger pusher ring assembly 50-L is next lowered into place. The attaching bolts 174 are next used to secure the larger pusher ring assembly 50-L to the thrust plate means 60 at holes 173.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is:

l. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination. track means; frame means mounted for movement along said track means, an engine; pump means driven by said engine; thrust plate means mounted on said frame means forwardly of said engine and pump. said thrust plate means including a vertically disposed slot; fluid motor means in circuit with said pump means and mounted on said thrust plate means for \ertical movement between upper and lower fluid motor positions, said fluid motor including an anger dri\e shaft extended through said slot; at lower casing pusher ring mounting means on said thrust plate means for mounting a smaller pusher ring concentric with said auger drive shaft in said lower position; and an upper casing pusher ring mounting means on said thrust plate means for mounting a larger pusher ring concentric with said auger drive shaft in said upper position.

2. A portable earth boring machine comprising. in combination, track means; frame means mounted for movement along said track means; an engine; pump means driven by said engine; thrust plate means mounted on said frame means forwardly of said engine and pump, said thrust plate means including a vertically disposed slot and spaced vertically disposed guides along the sides of said slot; a fluid motor mounting plate slideably disposed in said guides; fluid motor means in circuit with said pump means and mounted on said fluid motor mounting plate, said motor means including an auger drive shaft extended through said slot; adjustable mounting means for selectively positioning said mounting plate in upper and lower positions; a lower casing pusher ring mounting means on said thrust plate means for mounting a smaller pusher ring concentric with said auger drive shaft in said lower position; and an upper casing pusher ring mounting means on said thrust plate means for mounting a larger pusher ring concentric with said auger drive shaft in said upper position.

3. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means; frame means mounted for movement along said track means; an engine; pump means driven by said engine; thrust plate means mounted on said frame means forwardly of said engine and pump, said thrust plate means including a vertically disposed slot and a first pusher ring mounting portion; fluid motor means in circuit with said pump means and mounted on said thrust plate means for vertical movement between upper and lower fluid motor positions, said fluid motor including an auger drive shaft extended through said slot; a smaller casing pusher ring including a second pusher ring mounting portion removably mountable on said first mounting portion so as to position said smaller pusher ring concentric with said auger drive shaft in said lower position; and a larger casing pusher ring including a third pusher ring mounting portion removably mounted on said first mounting portion so as to position said larger pusher ring concentric with said auger drive shaft in said upper position.

4. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means; frame means mounted for movement along said track means; an engine; pump means driven by said engine; thrust plate means mounted on said frame means forwardly of said engine and pump, said thrust plate means including a vertically disposed slot, a first pusher ring mounting portion and spaced vertically disposed guides along the sides of said slot; a fluid motor mounting plate slideably disposed in said guides; fluid motor means in circuit with said pump means and mounted on said fluid motor mounting 6 auger drive shaft in said lower position; and a larger casing pusher ring including a third pusher ring mounting portion removably mounted on said first mounting portion so as to position said larger pusher ring concentric with said auger drive shaft in said upper position. k 

1. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means; frame means mounted for movement along said track means; an engine; pump means driven by said engine; thrust plate means mounted on said frame means forwardly of said engine and pump, said thrust plate means including a vertically disposed slot; fluid motor means in circuit with said pump means and mounted on said thrust plate means for vertical movement between upper and lower fluid motor positions, said fluid motor including an auger drive shaft extended through said slot; a lower casing pusher ring mounting means on said thrust plate means for mounting a smaller pusher ring concentric with said auger drive shaft in said Lower position; and an upper casing pusher ring mounting means on said thrust plate means for mounting a larger pusher ring concentric with said auger drive shaft in said upper position.
 1. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means; frame means mounted for movement along said track means; an engine; pump means driven by said engine; thrust plate means mounted on said frame means forwardly of said engine and pump, said thrust plate means including a vertically disposed slot; fluid motor means in circuit with said pump means and mounted on said thrust plate means for vertical movement between upper and lower fluid motor positions, said fluid motor including an auger drive shaft extended through said slot; a lower casing pusher ring mounting means on said thrust plate means for mounting a smaller pusher ring concentric with said auger drive shaft in said Lower position; and an upper casing pusher ring mounting means on said thrust plate means for mounting a larger pusher ring concentric with said auger drive shaft in said upper position.
 2. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means; frame means mounted for movement along said track means; an engine; pump means driven by said engine; thrust plate means mounted on said frame means forwardly of said engine and pump, said thrust plate means including a vertically disposed slot and spaced vertically disposed guides along the sides of said slot; a fluid motor mounting plate slideably disposed in said guides; fluid motor means in circuit with said pump means and mounted on said fluid motor mounting plate, said motor means including an auger drive shaft extended through said slot; adjustable mounting means for selectively positioning said mounting plate in upper and lower positions; a lower casing pusher ring mounting means on said thrust plate means for mounting a smaller pusher ring concentric with said auger drive shaft in said lower position; and an upper casing pusher ring mounting means on said thrust plate means for mounting a larger pusher ring concentric with said auger drive shaft in said upper position.
 3. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means; frame means mounted for movement along said track means; an engine; pump means driven by said engine; thrust plate means mounted on said frame means forwardly of said engine and pump, said thrust plate means including a vertically disposed slot and a first pusher ring mounting portion; fluid motor means in circuit with said pump means and mounted on said thrust plate means for vertical movement between upper and lower fluid motor positions, said fluid motor including an auger drive shaft extended through said slot; a smaller casing pusher ring including a second pusher ring mounting portion removably mountable on said first mounting portion so as to position said smaller pusher ring concentric with said auger drive shaft in said lower position; and a larger casing pusher ring including a third pusher ring mounting portion removably mounted on said first mounting portion so as to position said larger pusher ring concentric with said auger drive shaft in said upper position. 